James E. “Jim” Kruzinski, of Hornell

HORNELL-James E. “Jim” Kruzinski, 78, of Edgeview Estates, Hornell died Sunday evening (November 20, 2016) at St. James Mercy Hospital while holding the hands of his daughter, Wendy Sue and son-in-law, Keith Drury.

Born in Toledo, OH on March 9, 1938, he was the son of Ervin & Louise (Abriel) Kruzinski. He has resided in the Hornell area for 30 years.

He served in the US National Guard in a tank battalion; the US Army as a MP; and in the US Air Force as a Drill Instructor. He was proud to have served in the Special Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War. Jim was honored to have met and to shake the hand of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) and often talked about it to his many friends.

Jim lived a long and interesting life. For 12 years, Jim served as Park Manager of Edgeview Estates. Before becoming Park Manager of Edgeview Estates, Jim was an awarded Professional Truck Driver for Air Products & Chemicals of Rochester, NY with over 2 ½ million miles accident free. He would rightly boast “I’ve got more miles backing up than you’ve got going forward.”

Jim was a “regular” at the Texas Café in Hornell and considered the staff family. He would often give directions, totally by memory, to anywhere in the United States that a person wanted to go. He was very proud of all of his accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Patricia A. Kruzinski.

Jim was married on August 24, 1996 to the former Grace Phinney Shiloh who survives. Also surviving are the youngest of his three children, his daughter (his little girl) Wendy Sue (Keith) Drury of Hornell; 2 sons, Mark James Kruzinski and Scott Michael Kruzinski; his beautiful granddaughter, Zoie Jewel Arcarisi; his great-granddaughter, Sadie Rae; his brother, Donald Kruzinski; and “last but not least” his sweetheart, Erin Rauber; as well as several estranged grandchildren.

At Jim’s request there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Jim’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Rd., Hornell, NY 14843.